Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana and President of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), has advocated for the implementation of electronic voting (e-voting) systems across Africa to tackle the ongoing problem of rejected ballots.
Addressing the 9th Annual Continental Forum of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in Accra, she emphasized the need for Africa to adopt technology in order to reduce human errors in voting and improve the credibility of elections.
“In this technological dispensation, we cannot continue relying solely on traditional paper ballots, which are prone to errors and misinterpretations,” she stated. “A well-designed e-voting system can significantly reduce rejected ballots and ensure that every vote truly counts.”
The EC chairperson stressed the importance of enhanced collaboration between electoral bodies, civil society, and political stakeholders to introduce innovations aimed at improving voter education and electoral processes.
In her keynote address, Former Chief Justice of Ghana and Member of the Council of State, Justice Sophia Akuffo, warned that Africa’s democratic systems are at significant risk if the issue of rejected ballots is not addressed promptly.
“Democracy is at risk when a significant number of votes are rendered invalid. It undermines the will of the people and erodes public trust in electoral systems,” she stressed.
Justice Akuffo urged electoral bodies to use this forum as a turning point for reforms, saying, ”This forum must go beyond discussions and deliver practical solutions to safeguard our electoral processes and strengthen democracy across the continent.”
“Democracy is jeopardized when a large number of votes are invalidated. It diminishes the people’s will and weakens public confidence in electoral systems,” she emphasized.
Justice Akuffo called on electoral bodies to treat the forum as a catalyst for reform, stating, “This forum must move beyond mere discussions and produce practical solutions to protect our electoral processes and reinforce democracy throughout the continent.”
The two-day forum, organized by the African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) in partnership with the AAEA and supported by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), is being held under the theme “All Votes Count: Addressing the Problem of Invalid or Rejected Ballots in Africa.”
In her address to participants, Patience Chiradza, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the African Union (AU), reiterated the AU’s commitment to reinforcing democratic governance across the continent.
“If voters are unsure about how to mark their ballots correctly, we are failing them. Electoral commissions must implement clear and accessible voting instructions to prevent unnecessary ballot rejections,” she advised.
For his part, Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), emphasized the importance of international partnerships in enhancing Africa’s electoral systems.
“Learning from global best practices can help electoral management bodies design more voter-friendly ballot systems. The goal should be to make voting simple and accessible while upholding the integrity of the process,” he noted.
The forum continues with expert panel discussions on the causes of invalid ballots and strategies to strengthen electoral systems across Africa.
Delegates are poised to share best practices, research findings, and policy recommendations aimed at lowering ballot rejection rates and ensuring that every vote counts in African elections.
